Last night, the U.S. Senate passed the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA) which will make substantial improvements to affordable housing programs throughout the country! This success comes after months of calls, advocacy engagement, and fostering bipartisan support for commonsense reforms. The bill is now heading to the President's desk to be signed into law. 

Your advocacy action has made a real difference for many who are often faced with the threat of eviction. Lack of affordable housing continues to be a major driver of hunger, poverty, and homelessness in our communities. Our housing programs are essential to people paying excessive amounts of their income on housing, but assistance is largely underfunded and leaves many out in the cold.

Once signed into law, HOTMA will help expand the reach and access of U.S. housing programs to extremely low-income families in the most need of assistance. The bill will also authorize Rural Housing Services for single families, encourage higher economic mobility for assisted families, and increase the safety of housing units. Ensuring greater and more direct access of our housing programs and the safety of a secure home will give many families the opportunities they need to rise out of poverty. 

ELCA Advocacy applauds the significant bipartisan effort that led to the passage of this bill, and all the faith advocates like you who made this possible. Still, more must be done to address the affordable housing crisis in our country. As Lutheran shelter ministries and services agencies continue to work and provide much needed assistance to those in need, stay alert for ways you can take action through advocacy!  

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